Bethlehem Catholic is probably heartbroken following last night's 17-0 loss to Northampton, but the sun is out this morning and with it comes another day of bright opportunities.

So, guess what?

Bethlehem Catholic (4-5) can clinch a District 11 Class 3A playoff berth with a win over Class 4A Easton (4-5) Friday night at Cottingham Stadium, if Saucon Valley (5-4) of the Colonial League loses to Palisades (7-2) as expected.

That's because the Golden Hawks would collect the necessary points to overtake Saucon Valley. if all goes well and Becahi wins and Saucon Valley loses, then the Golden Hawks will have to hope that Central Catholic (4-5) does not upset powerhouse Emmaus (8-1).

Either way, Central Catholic or Bethlehem Catholic would have to play Wilson (9-0) in the 3A semifinals and that probably won't be a favorable situation. It will be, however, very intruguing.

Moving on to the possibilities of the Lehigh Valley Conference's 4A teams: Freedom (8-1), Liberty (8-1) and Emmaus (8-1) have all clinched berths.

Parkland, helped by its 14-10 win over Emmaus Friday night, is essentially in and can improve its playoff seeding with a win over rival Whitehall. The team that deserves to be in the playoffs now is Northampton (6-3), shutout Easton and Bethlehem Catholic in back-to-back weeks.

The Konkrete Kids need to beat Nazareth Friday, then must hope that Parkland or East Stroudsburg South loses. Parkland will steamroll Whitehall, so forget about that possibility. East Stroudsburg South (6-3) meets East Stroudsburg North (4-5) and you never know what can happen when rivals meet.

It's unlikely, based on the talent level on paper, that ESS will lose to ESN, which means the hard-hitting K-Kids might miss the playoffs.

District 11 is guaranteed five playoff spots and Disrict 2 five. Hazleton (8-1) is the only District 2 team that has already clinched with Wyoming Valley West (6-3), Wallenpaupack (6-3) and Delaware Valley (6-3) each in the running for the other two playoff spots.

If you are into drama, then what more can you ask for entering the final week of regular season games?

NOTE: Please express your opinions in a civil and respectful manner. Insensitive, inflammatory and derogatory comments will be removed at our discretion.

Name:

Email:

URL:

Comments:

Remember My Info

About this blog

Morning Call Sports Reporters Stephen Miller and Tom Housenick blog about high school and college sports action on and off the field in and around the Lehigh Valley, only at themorningcall.com.

Meet the bloggers

TOM HOUSENICK watches every move Lehigh’s C.J. McCollum makes on the court, laughs at every joke by Lafayette coach Fran O’Hanlon and watches all the Divisions II and III coaches and players do it for the love of the game. Basketball makes the cold weather season go by fast. Already can’t wait for late February and early March when each possession could result in a season ending or continuing on.

Wrapping up his ninth year at The Morning Call, STEPHEN MILLER is back for year No. 4 on the LVC football beat. He chronicled Central Catholic's state-championship run in 2010, watched Nazareth win its first LVC title in 2011 and saw the league crown tri-champions for the first time in 2012. He has also covered the Phillies, college football and a variety of prep sports while with The Morning Call. To stay updated on the 2013 LVC football season, check out the Varsity blog and follow him on Twitter @mcall_smiller.